Thank you for shining a light on the dangerous intersection of firearms and mental illness. A gun in the hand of a mentally ill person puts the community at risk, including the mentally ill person. Our legislators must work harder to protect all Americans, and that includes those who have mental illness.

We need to have a comprehensive, fully functional background system that prevents dangerously mentally ill people from acquiring weapons. How many more times will this scenario play out in our country? It is time for every American to engage in civil discussion about ways to curb the daily massacres on our streets and demand action from our elected officials.

— Donna Finkelstein, Chatsworth

Why were Washington victims not carrying guns?

Re “D.C. shootings leave 13 dead” (Sept. 17):

Why are uniformed members of our armed forces unarmed? It’s political correctness gone amok. Every member of our military should be armed. Nobody goes into a police station and shoots up the place. Unarmed military is a sitting duck for terrorists or deranged murderers. Each American in uniform should be issued a sidearm, like the NCIS, the FBI and the cop on the beat.

— Richard Paradise, Palmdale

Want a driver’s license? Apply for U.S. citizenship

Re “Driver’s license rule is changed” (Sept. 14):

So those who broke the law by coming into the country illegally will now be able to get driver’s licenses. Why couldn’t the bill have included a requirement to begin the citizenship process when applying for such a license? Otherwise it just looks as though the Democratic leadership merely wants the Latino votes.

— Arline George, Reseda

New driver’s license law could backfire on users

Re “Driver’s license rule is changed” (Sept. 14):

The proposed law granting undocumented immigrants driver’s licenses could be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it appears to equalize their status, but it makes it easier for them to be targeted by individuals and the government. The clear labeling on the new category of license makes it easier for people to identify them, and there is nothing stopping future government entities from targeting them if the liberal politicians we have now are replaced with conservative ones.

Why would someone take the risk and get one? They can already buy insurance. There is little doubt that one day conservatives will be in power again, and they might use the list to enforce other laws that have nothing to do with driving.

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— Scott Yollis, Granada Hills

More regulations needed in new mural ordinance

Re “Murals allowed on private property after L.A. City Council vote” (Sept. 4):

The Los Angeles mural ordinance must include a strict ban on the inclusion of letters, numbers and words, commercial logos and institutional icons. This would counter the fear that the new mural ordinance will enable advertisers and sign companies to use the ordinance to create commercial ads disguised as murals.

I like murals, but I detest the avalanche of advertising that our capitalist culture and the politics it funds has allowed to drown our shared environment. Public space belongs to everyone. It should visually reflect our shared ownership of it — not degrade it with billboards and signs on private property.